Got Sideburns? Here's How To Deal

share it

For many women, dealing with unwanted facial hair can be downright embarrassing -- not to mention annoying. Sure, getting rid of a stray eyebrow or two isn't all that bad, but when you're talking about coarse, thick hair that runs down the side of your face, well, that’s a different story. Sideburns can get in the way of your flawless makeup application, and they may even make you feel self-conscious about trying pulled-back hairstyles. But no more!

Here are five ways to deal with your sideburns, from quick cover-ups to more permanent solutions.

Keep reading to see the best ways to deal with your sideburns.

1 of 5

Just Say No: Shaving

"If you’re a man yes, for women, no! Our skin is way more sensitive," says Jodi Shays, owner of Queen Bee Salon & Spa in Culver City, California. So put down that razor! Since shaving doesn't remove the hair from the root, you could end up having to shave every day, or risk a five o'clock shadow.

2 of 5

The Disguise: Bleaching

Bleaching your sideburns can be an easy and painless way to disguise your sideburns -- that is, if you do it correctly. Make sure you choose a bleach designed to be used on your face, like Jolen Creme Bleach with Aloe($5.99), otherwise, you could end up with burnt, irritated skin (so not worth it).

3 of 5

The Fast Fix: Threading

Banish those pesky hairs on the side of your face with threading (no, it's not just for your eyebrows). This process uses a thin strand of cotton thread to pull hair out from the root, and is a great alternative if your face is too sensitive for waxing. Over time, hair will grow back finer and less noticeable. It lasts anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on your hair type.

4 of 5

The Fast Fix: Waxing

Waxing your sideburns gives you a clean result that helps makeup go on evenly, and you won't have to deal with stubble or marks from tweezing, says Shays. Since it's pulling your hair out from the root, over time hair will start to grow in finer. Shays says she typically sees people anywhere from every four to ten weeks, depending on how quickly/thickly their hair grows back. If you have oilier skin, she recommends washing with an acne wash 24-hours after your wax to help avoid a breakout.

The Long Term Fix: Call In The Experts

For more permanent options of hair removal, you can go to an expert for laser hair removal or electrolysis. The former uses, you guessed it, a laser to damage hair follicles and prevent hair from growing back (learn more about laser hair removal here).

Electrolysis uses a fine probe, inserted into the hair follicle, and zaps it with heat or chemical energy so it can't produce any more hair. Treatments can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, and the number of sessions varies.

Whatever you do, stay far, far away from those Groupon deals if you're considering either one of these options -- there's a time and a place for bargain beauty, and this isn't it.

Which of these techniques is right for you? How do you deal with your sideburns? Let us know in the comments below!